3D printed high resolution electrical connectors with novel material removal features

ABSTRACT

A single piece electrical connector having a housing with a mating face, a wire receiving face, and housing side walls. Terminal receiving cavities extend from the mating face to the wire receiving face. The terminal receiving cavities have cavity side walls. Resilient securing arms are provided in the terminal receiving cavities. The resilient securing arms have fixed portions which extend from and are integrally attached to base members which extend from and are integrally attached to the cavity side walls of the terminal receiving cavities. The resilient securing arms are made from the same material and in the same manufacturing process that forms the housing. The fixed ends are spaced from the cavity side walls by gaps. The gaps between the resilient securing arms and the cavity side walls facilitate the cleaning or removal of excess material formed during the manufacturing process of the electrical connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed a one piece 3D printed electricalconnector with securing arms which facilitates the removal of material,such as resin or powder, from the connector. In particular, theinvention is directed to a one piece printed electrical connector whichhas passageways which allow the resin to be rinsed from the printedconnector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical connector components are typically manufactured fromtraditional methods and are designed to accommodate the respectivetraditional tooling methods. Connectors manufactured from multiplecomponents also require assembly and may have lengthy and complex billsof materials and component lead times. A connector designed with the 3Dprinting or additive manufacturing process in mind can be constructedwith consolidated components and/or eliminate many components andmanufacturing steps, however all connectors need to be designed formanufacturability. Such 3D printable connectors must be configured toallow the photo curable resin to be completely rinsed from the resultingproduct in order to obtain optimal performance. However, knownconnectors have product features which do not allow for adequateresidual material removal and cleaning and, ultimately, result in theproduct not performing as intended.

It would, therefore be beneficial to provide an electrical connectorwhich is configured to prevent material entrapment and allow adequatematerial, such as resin or powder, drainage and final rinsing/cleaningresulting in superior product performance. In particular, it would bebeneficial to position components and provide weep holes to facilitateimproved material removal and cleaning during an additive manufacturingprocess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment is directed to a single piece electrical connector havinga housing with a mating face, a wire receiving face, and housing sidewalls. Terminal receiving cavities extend from the mating face to thewire receiving face. The terminal receiving cavities have cavity sidewalls. Resilient securing arms are provided in the terminal receivingcavities. The resilient securing arms have fixed portions which extendfrom and are integrally attached to base members or projection memberswhich extend from and are integrally attached to the cavity side wallsof the terminal receiving cavities. The resilient securing arms are madefrom the same material and in the same manufacturing process that formsthe housing. The fixed ends are spaced from the cavity side walls bygaps. The gaps between the resilient securing arms and the cavity sidewalls facilitate the cleaning or removal of excess material formedduring the manufacturing process of the electrical connector.

An embodiment is directed to an electrical connector made from anadditive manufacturing process. The electrical connector includes ahousing having a mating face, a wire receiving face, and housing sidewalls. Terminal receiving cavities extend from the mating face to thewire receiving face. The terminal receiving cavities have cavity sidewalls. Resilient securing arms are provided in the terminal receivingcavities. The resilient securing arms have fixed portions which extendfrom and are integrally attached to base members or projection memberswhich extend from and are integrally attached to the cavity side wallsof the terminal receiving cavities. The resilient securing arms are madefrom the same material and in the same process that forms the housing.The fixed ends are spaced from the cavity side walls by gaps. Cleaningopenings are provided on the mating face of the connector housing. Thecleaning openings extend through the mating face and into the terminalreceiving cavities. Mating terminal receiving openings extend throughthe mating face of the connector housing. The mating terminal receivingopenings extend into the terminal receiving cavities. The cleaningopenings are positioned proximate to the mating terminal receivingopenings. The gaps between the resilient securing arms and the cavityside walls and the cleaning openings facilitate the removal of excessmaterial formed during the manufacturing process of the electricalconnector.

An embodiment is directed to a method of manufacturing an electricalconnector with integral resilient securing arms. The method includes:printing a body of the electrical connector in an additive printingprocess, the body having terminal receiving cavities therein; printingthe resilient securing arms simultaneously with the printing of thebody, the resilient securing arms being positioned in the terminalreceiving cavities; spacing the resilient securing arms from walls ofthe terminal receiving cavities to form gaps between the walls; andcleaning excess material created during the additive printing processfrom the terminal receiving cavities. The spacing of the resilientsecuring arms from the walls of the terminal receiving cavities allowsthe excess material to be removed from the terminal receiving cavitiesand the body of the electrical connector.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following more detailed description of the preferredembodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of an illustrative embodiment of anelectrical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view the area 4 of FIG. 3, showinga pair terminal receiving cavities of the electrical connector.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area 5 represented by the brokencircle of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of an alternate illustrative embodiment ofan electrical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 6taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view the area 9 of FIG. 8, showinga terminal receiving cavity of the electrical connector.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the area 10 represented by the brokencircle of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such embodiments illustrating somepossible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or inother combinations of features, the scope of the invention being definedby the claims appended hereto.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, an illustrative arrangement ofterminal receiving cavities 20 in an illustrative single pieceelectrical connector housing 10 is shown. While the terminal receivingcavities 20 are shown in the illustrative connector housing 10, theinvention, as described herein, can be used with terminal receivingcavities 20 in any type of connector housing or assembly. The connectorhousing 10 has a mating face 12, a wire receiving face 14, and housingside walls 16. In the embodiment shown, the side walls 16 extend beyondthe mating face 12 and the wire receiving face 14, however, otherconfigurations of the side walls 16 can be used without departing fromthe scope of the invention. In the illustrative embodiment shown, theconnector housing 10 has a generally square or rectangularconfiguration, however, other types, sizes and shapes or housings may beused. The electrical connector housing 10 is manufactured using anadditive manufacturing process, such as, but not limited to 3D printing,to form a one piece connector housing.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the connector housing 10 has terminal receivingcavities 20 which extend from the mating face 12 to the wire receivingface 14. The terminal receiving cavities are dimensioned to receiveterminals (not shown) therein. The particular configuration of theterminals may vary depending upon the application and amount of currentrequired to flow across the terminal.

Each terminal receiving cavity 20, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, has awire receiving portion 22, a securing portion 24 and a mating terminalreceiving portion 26. The wire receiving portion 22 is positionedproximate to the wire receiving face 14 of the housing 10. The matingterminal receiving portion 26 is position proximate to the mating face12 of the housing. The securing portion 24 extends between the wirereceiving portion 22 and the mating terminal receiving portion 26.

The wire receiving portion 22 has a diameter A which is large enough toreceive the terminal therethrough. The mating terminal receiving portion26 has a diameter B which is smaller than the diameter A of the wirereceiving portion 22. The diameter B is dimensioned to be large enoughto allow a mating contact or pin to be inserted therethrough. However,the diameter B is sufficiently small to prevent the terminal insertedthrough the wire receiving portion 22 to be removed through the matingterminal portion 26.

The securing portion 24 has resilient securing arms 30 provided therein.In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, threeresilient securing arms 30 are provided in each terminal receivingcavity 20. However, other numbers of resilient securing may be provided.The securing arms 30 have a fixed portion 32 which extends from and isintegrally attached to base member or projection member 38 which extendsfrom and is integrally attached to a cavity side wall 34 of the terminalreceiving cavity 20. As the securing arms 30 and the housing 10 are madein a single piece, the securing arms 30 are made from the same materialand are made in the same process that forms the other parts of thehousing 10. The fixed portion 32 is positioned proximate to or offsetfrom the wire receiving face 14 of the housing 10. In the illustrativeembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the length of the securing arms30 is equal to or proximate the length of the securing portion 24.

The resilient securing arms 30 extend from the fixed ends 32 toward themating face 12 of the housing 10. The resilient securing arms 30terminate at free ends 36 which are spaced from the side wall 34 of theterminal receiving cavity 20. The resilient securing arms 30 areconfigured to cooperate with the terminal inserted therein to maintainthe terminal in the terminal receiving cavity 20. The free ends 36 ofthe resilient securing arms 30 tilt into the terminal receiving cavityfurther than the fixed ends 32, such that the diameter D of passageformed by the fixed ends 32 is greater than the diameter C of passageformed by the free ends 36.

The number, size, shape and positioning of the resilient securing arms30 may vary. The length of the resilient securing arms 30 as measuredfrom the fixed ends 32 to the free ends 36 may vary, as may the lengthof the terminal receiving cavity 20. The thickness of the resilientsecuring arms 30 may vary from one embodiment to another. In addition,the thickness of the resilient securing arms 30 may vary from the fixedends 32 to the free ends 36. The amount of tilt of the free ends 36 mayalso be varied. While the resilient securing arms 30 in the embodimentshown have a longitudinal axis which is relatively straight, theresilient securing arms 30 may have a curved or helical configuration.The resilient securing arms 30 may be curved inward or outward dependingupon the resiliency needed to maintain the terminal in position in theterminal receiving cavity 20.

Although the fixed ends 32 are fixed to base members or projectionmembers 38 which extend from side wall 34 of the terminal receivingcavity 20, the fixed ends 32 are spaced from the side wall 34 by a gap40. The size of the gap can be varied. As the resilient securing arms 30are formed in the same process as the housing 10, and as tooling cannotbe inserted into the terminal receiving cavity 20 to properly form theresilient securing arms 30, the housing 10 and resilient securing arms30 must be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as, but notlimited to 3D printing. Consequently, it is imperative that excessmaterial or unwanted material be able to be cleaned out or removed fromthe terminal receiving cavity 20 upon completion of the formation of thehousing 20 and the resilient securing arms 30. Providing gaps 40 betweenthe resilient securing arms 30 and the side wall 34 facilitates thecleaning or removal of the excess material.

In order to properly maintain the position of the free ends 36 prior tothe insertion of the terminal in the terminal receiving cavity 20,holders or tabs 42 extend between the free ends 36 of adjacent resilientsecuring arms 30, as best shown in FIG. 5. The holders or tabs 42 areintegrally formed with the free ends 36 to maintain the free ends 36 inposition relative to each other as the connector housing 10 and theresilient securing arms 30 are cleaned and cured. The holders or tabs 42are configured to break as the mating terminal is inserted into theterminal receiving cavity 20 to allow the resilient securing arms 30 toact independently to secure the terminal in position.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, mating terminal receiving openings 58extend through the mating face 12 of the connector housing 10. Cleaningopenings 60 are provided on the mating face 12 of the connector housing10. The cleaning openings 60 are positioned proximate to the matingterminal receiving openings 58 and extend through the mating face 12 andinto the mating terminal receiving portions 26 of the terminal receivingcavities 20. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the cleaning openings60 are smaller in size than the mating terminal receiving openings 58,whereby the mating terminals cannot be inserted into the cleaningopenings 60. However, other embodiments the cleaning openings 60 may beintegrally connected to the mating terminal receiving openings 58.

In this illustrative embodiment, three cleaning openings 60 extend intoeach terminal receiving cavity 20, with the cleaning openings 60positioned in approximate alignment with the securing arms 30 of therespective terminal receiving cavity 20. However, other numbers andpositioning of the cleaning openings 60 may be used. The cleaningopenings 60 facilitates the removal of the excess material or unwantedmaterial from the terminal receiving cavity 20 upon completion of theformation of the housing 20 and the resilient securing arms 30.

With reference to FIGS. 6 through 10, an alternate illustrativeelectrical connector housing 110 is shown. The connector housing 110 hasa mating face 112, a wire receiving face 114, and side walls 116. In theembodiment shown, the side walls 116 extend between the mating face 112and between the wire receiving face 114, however, other configurationsof the side walls 116 can be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the connectorhousing 110 has a generally square or rectangular configuration,however, other configurations, such as, but not limited to circular, maybe used.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the connector housing 110 has terminalreceiving cavities 120 which extend from the mating face 112 to the wirereceiving face 114. The terminal receiving cavities are dimensioned toreceive terminals (not shown) therein. The particular configuration ofthe terminals may vary depending upon the application and amount ofcurrent required to flow across the terminal.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each terminal receiving cavity 120 has awire receiving portion 122, a securing portion 124 and a mating terminalreceiving portion 126. The wire receiving portion 122 is positionedproximate to the wire receiving face 114 of the housing 110. The matingterminal receiving portion 126 is position proximate to the mating face112 of the housing. The securing portion 124 extends between the wirereceiving portion 122 and the mating terminal receiving portion 126.

The wire receiving portion 122 has a diameter F which is large enough toreceive the terminal therethrough. The mating terminal receiving portion126 has a diameter G which is smaller than the diameter F of the wirereceiving portion 122. The diameter G is dimensioned to be large enoughto allow a mating contact or pin to be inserted therethrough. However,the diameter G is sufficiently small to prevent the terminal insertedthrough the mating terminal receiving portion 126 to be removed throughthe wire receiving portion 122.

The securing portion 124 has resilient securing arms 130 providedtherein. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 10,three resilient securing arms 130 are provided in each terminalreceiving cavity 20. However, other numbers of resilient securing may beprovided. The securing arms 130 have a fixed portion 132 which extendsfrom and is integrally attached to base member or projection member 138which extends from and is integrally attached to a side wall 134 of theterminal receiving cavity 120. The securing arms 130 are made from thesame material and are made in the same process that forms the otherparts of the housing 110. The fixed portion 132 is positioned proximateto or offset from the wire receiving face 114 of the housing 110. In theillustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the length of thesecuring portion 124 is greater than the length of the securing arms130.

The resilient securing arms 130 extend from the fixed ends 132 towardthe mating face 112 of the housing 110. The resilient securing arms 130terminate at free ends 136 which are spaced from the side wall 134 ofthe terminal receiving cavity 120. The resilient securing arms 130 areconfigured to cooperate with the terminal inserted therein to maintainthe terminal in the terminal receiving cavity 120. The free ends 136 ofthe resilient securing arms 130 tilt into the terminal receiving cavityfurther than the fixed ends 132, such that the diameter H of passageformed by the fixed ends 132 is greater than the diameter I of passageformed by the free ends 136.

The number, size, shape and positioning of the resilient securing arms130 may vary. The length of the resilient securing arms 130 as measuredfrom the fixed ends 132 to the free ends 136 may vary, as may the lengthof the terminal receiving cavity 120. The thickness of the resilientsecuring arms 130 may vary from one embodiment to another. In addition,the thickness of the resilient securing arms 130 may vary from the fixedends 132 to the free ends 136. The amount of tilt of the free ends 136may also be varied. While the free ends 136 of the resilient securingarms 130 in the embodiment shown are curved slightly inward relativelystraight, the resilient securing arms 130 may have a helicalconfiguration. The resilient securing arms 130 may be curved outward orbe straight depending upon the resiliency needed to maintain theterminal in position in the terminal receiving cavity 120.

Although the fixed ends 132 are fixed to base members or projectionmembers 138 which extend from side wall 134 of the terminal receivingcavity 120, the fixed ends 132 are spaced from the side wall 134 by agap 140. The size of the gap can be varied. As the resilient securingarms 130 are formed in the same process as the housing 110, and astooling cannot be inserted into the terminal receiving cavity 120 toproperly form the resilient securing arms 130, the housing 110 andresilient securing arms 130 must be formed by an additive manufacturingprocess, such as, but not limited to 3D printing. Consequently, it isimperative that excess material or unwanted material be able to becleaned out or removed from the terminal receiving cavity 120 uponcompletion of the formation of the housing 120 and the resilientsecuring arms 130. Providing gaps 140 between the resilient securingarms 130 and the side wall 134 facilitates the cleaning or removal ofthe excess material.

In order to properly maintain the position of the free ends 136 prior tothe insertion of the terminal in the terminal receiving cavity 120,holders or tabs 142 extend between the free ends 136 of adjacentresilient securing arms 130, as best shown in FIG. 10. The holders ortabs 142 are integrally formed with the free ends 136 to maintain thefree ends 136 in position relative to each other as the connectorhousing 110 and the resilient securing arms 130 are cleaned andthermally cured. The holders or tabs 142 are configured to break as themating terminal is inserted into the terminal receiving cavity 120 toallow the resilient securing arms 130 to act independently to secure theterminal in position.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, mating terminal receiving openings 158extend through the mating face 112 of the connector housing 110. Themating terminal receiving openings 158 extend into the mating terminalreceiving portions 126 of the terminal receiving cavities 120 and aredimensioned to receive the mating terminals of the mating connectortherein. Cleaning openings 160 are provided on the mating face 112 ofthe connector housing 110. The cleaning openings 160 are positionedproximate to the mating terminal receiving openings 158 and extendthrough the mating face 112 and into the mating terminal receivingportions 126 of the terminal receiving cavities 120.

The cleaning openings 160 are smaller in size than the mating terminalreceiving openings 158, whereby the mating terminals cannot be insertedinto the cleaning openings 160. In this illustrative embodiment, threecleaning openings 160 extend into each terminal receiving cavity 120,with the cleaning openings 160 positioned in approximate alignment withthe securing arms 130 of the respective terminal receiving cavity 120.However, other numbers and positioning of the cleaning openings 160 maybe used. The cleaning openings 160 facilitates the removal of the excessmaterial or unwanted material from the terminal receiving cavity 120upon completion of the formation of the housing 120 and the resilientsecuring arms 130.

In various illustrative embodiments, the gap 40, 140 may be, but is notlimited to, 0.15 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.30 mm, between 0.15 mm and 0.30 mm,greater than 0.30 mm. In various illustrative embodiments, the securingarms 30, 130 may have, but are not limited to, a thickness of 0.35 mm,0.37 mm, between 0.30 mm and 0.40 mm. In various illustrativeembodiments, the securing arms 30, 130 may have, but are not limited to,4 spring arms with a range about the circumference of the terminalreceiving cavity 20, 120 of 75 degrees and a gap between the spring armsof 15 degrees, 5 spring arms with a range about the circumference of theterminal receiving cavity 20, 120 of 65 degrees and a gap between thespring arms of 15 degrees, 6 spring arms with a range about thecircumference of the terminal receiving cavity 20, 120 of 45 degrees anda gap between the spring arms of 15 degrees.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the accompanying claims. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the invention may be used with many modificationsof structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials and componentsand otherwise used in the practice of the invention, which areparticularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirementswithout departing from the principles of the present invention. Thepresently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoingdescription or embodiments.

We claim:
 1. A single piece electrical connector comprising: a housinghaving a mating face, a wire receiving face, and housing side walls;terminal receiving cavities extending from the mating face to the wirereceiving face, the terminal receiving cavities having cavity sidewalls; resilient securing arms provided in the terminal receivingcavities, the resilient securing arms having fixed ends which extendfrom and are integrally attached to base members which extend from andare integrally attached to the cavity side walls of the terminalreceiving cavities, the resilient securing arms being made from the samematerial and in the same manufacturing process that forms the housing,the fixed ends being spaced from the cavity side walls by gaps; tabsextending between free ends of adjacent resilient securing arms, thetabs being integrally formed with the free ends to maintain the freeends in position relative to each other; wherein the gaps between theresilient securing arms and the cavity side walls facilitate thecleaning or removal of excess material formed during the manufacturingprocess of the electrical connector.
 2. The electrical connector asrecited in claim 1, wherein the housing side walls extend beyond themating face and the wire receiving face.
 3. The electrical connector asrecited in claim 1, wherein the housing has a generally rectangularconfiguration.
 4. The electrical connector as recited in claim 1,wherein the terminal receiving cavities have wire receiving portions,securing portions and mating terminal receiving portion, the wirereceiving portion is positioned proximate to the wire receiving face ofthe housing, the mating terminal receiving portion is position proximateto the mating face of the housing, the securing portion extends betweenthe wire receiving portion and the mating terminal receiving portion. 5.The electrical connector as recited in claim 4, wherein the resilientsecuring arms are positioned in the securing portion.
 6. The electricalconnector as recited in claim 1, wherein the fixed ends are positionedproximate to the wire receiving face of the housing.
 7. The electricalconnector as recited in claim 4, wherein lengths of the securing armsare equal to lengths of the securing portions.
 8. The electricalconnector as recited in claim 1, wherein the resilient securing armsextend from the fixed ends toward the mating face of the housing andterminate at the free ends which are spaced from the cavity side wallsof the terminal receiving cavity.
 9. The electrical connector as recitedin claim 8, wherein the free ends of the resilient securing arms tiltinto the terminal receiving cavity further than the fixed ends, suchthat a diameter of a passage formed by the fixed ends is greater than adiameter of a passage formed by the free ends.
 10. The electricalconnector as recited in claim 1, wherein cleaning openings are providedon the mating face of the connector housing the cleaning openings extendthrough the mating face and into the mating terminal receiving portionsof the terminal receiving cavities.
 11. The electrical connector asrecited in claim 10, wherein mating terminal receiving openings extendthrough the mating face of the connector housing, the mating terminalreceiving openings extend into the mating terminal receiving portions ofthe terminal receiving cavities, the cleaning openings are positionedproximate to the mating terminal receiving openings, the cleaningopenings are smaller in size than the mating terminal receivingopenings, wherein the mating terminals cannot be inserted into thecleaning openings.
 12. The electrical connector as recited in claim 10,wherein three cleaning openings extend into each terminal receivingcavity, with the cleaning openings positioned in approximate alignmentwith the securing arms of the respective terminal receiving cavity. 13.An electrical connector made from an additive manufacturing process, theelectrical connector comprising: a housing having a mating face, a wirereceiving face, and housing side walls; terminal receiving cavitiesextending from the mating face to the wire receiving face, the terminalreceiving cavities having cavity side walls, the terminal receivingcavities having wire receiving portions, securing portions and matingterminal receiving portions, the wire receiving portions positionedproximate to the wire receiving face of the housing, the mating terminalreceiving portions position proximate to the mating face of the housing,the securing portioned extends between the wire receiving portions andthe mating terminal receiving portions; resilient securing arms providedin the in the securing portion of the terminal receiving cavities, theresilient securing arms having fixed ends which extend from and areintegrally attached to base members which extend from and are integrallyattached to the cavity side walls of the terminal receiving cavities,the resilient securing arms being made from the same material and in thesame process that forms the housing, the fixed ends being spaced fromthe cavity side walls by gaps; cleaning openings provided on the matingface of the connector housing, the cleaning openings extending throughthe mating face and into the terminal receiving cavities; matingterminal receiving openings extending through the mating face of theconnector housing, the mating terminal receiving openings extending intothe terminal receiving cavities, the cleaning openings being positionedproximate to the mating terminal receiving openings; wherein the gapsbetween the resilient securing arms and the cavity side walls and thecleaning openings facilitate the removal of excess material formedduring the manufacturing process of the electrical connector.
 14. Theelectrical connector as recited in claim 13, wherein lengths of thesecuring arms are equal to lengths of the securing portions.
 15. Theelectrical connector as recited in claim 14, wherein the resilientsecuring arms have tabs which extend between the free ends of adjacentresilient securing arms, the tabs are integrally formed with the freeends to maintain the free ends in position relative to each other as theconnector housing and the resilient securing arms are cleaned andthermally cured.
 16. A single piece electrical connector comprising: ahousing having a mating face, a wire receiving face, and housing sidewalls; terminal receiving cavities extending from the mating face to thewire receiving face, the terminal receiving cavities having cavity sidewalls; resilient securing arms provided in the terminal receivingcavities, the resilient securing arms having fixed ends which extendfrom and are integrally attached to base members which extend from andare integrally attached to the cavity side walls of the terminalreceiving cavities, the resilient securing arms being made from the samematerial and in the same manufacturing process that forms the housing,the fixed ends being spaced from the cavity side walls by gaps; cleaningopenings extending into each terminal receiving cavity, the cleaningopenings positioned in approximate alignment with each of the resilientsecuring arms of the respective terminal receiving cavity; wherein thegaps between the resilient securing arms and the cavity side wallsfacilitate the cleaning or removal of excess material formed during themanufacturing process of the electrical connector.